Bay of Plenty's summer of sevens heats up this weekend with the Baywide club and secondary school tournaments being held at Gordon Spratt Reserve in Pāpāmoa.
Competition is sure to be as fierce as ever with Baywide bragging rights and places in the Bay of Plenty men's and women's representative sides up for grabs ahead of this year's national sevens tournament at the Tauranga Domain on December 15-16.
As well as the Premier men's teams playing for the Gordon Tietjens Trophy, there will be senior women's teams competing for the Exia Edwards Trophy, the Te Manawa Whenua tournament for Division 1, Division 2 and Senior Reserve players and the Tight 5 tournament which is focused on participation and enjoyment.
Last year Tauranga Sports lifted the Gordon Tietjens Trophy, but with players out injured and busy with other commitments they will not be able to defend the title this year.
Coming into this year's tournament in hot form are Greerton Marist, who won their own Greerton Marist Open Sevens tournament for the first time earlier this month.
With teams from Bay of Plenty, Waikato and North Harbour involved, the Greerton title was hotly contested.
The semifinalists, having finished top in pool play, were Greerton Marist, Marist St Michaels, Rangataua and Northcote.
In the semifinals Greerton beat St Michaels 21-14 and Northcote beat Rangataua 24-5.
The final between Greerton Marist and Northcote, the North Harbour Sevens Champions, was closely contested with the teams tied 19-all at fulltime.
Greerton scored two minutes into extra time to break the deadlock and take the title.
Coach Phil Falamoe said winning that title gave the players confidence heading into the Baywide tournament.
"We weren't surprised with the calibre of players that we did have. The boys played well and we stuck to our structure, which was good," Falamoe said.
"We didn't have the biggest teams but we had one of the most skilful, which is what we pride ourselves on."
The Greerton side won't be at full strength this weekend, with several players away at the annual Rarotonga Sevens tournament, but Falamoe was confident the players who would be there would do well.
"Sevens is a game that no matter how good another team is, it just depends on who shows up on the day, so I do have faith in that team that will be playing, it's still a strong team."
Providing they have enough players available, Baywide 15-aside champions Te Puke and beaten finalists Te Puna also have more than enough quality to go all the way, as well as a host of Rotorua clubs who will head to Pāpāmoa with a point to prove.
The team to beat in the women's tournament are Rangiuru who will, no doubt, be going for a third consecutive title having lifted the Exia Edwards Trophy in 2016 and 2017.
Rangiuru also came within inches of winning this year's Baywide 15-a-side title, going down 22-21 to Rangataua in the final.
If those two teams are in attendance with the majority of players from their 15-a-side squads available this weekend, expect fireworks.
Combining the senior and secondary school sevens at one central venue is expected to create a festive sevens atmosphere.
The weekend starts on Friday with the under-15 boys' and under-15 boys' and girls' tournaments.
On Saturday under-19 boys' and girls' as well as the senior club sides will be in action.
Baywide Sevens
Friday
- Secondary School U14 Boys' Open and Development grades
- Secondary School U15 Boys' and Girls' Open and Development grades
Saturday
- Baywide Club Sevens
- U19 Boys' Open and Development grades and U19 Girls' Open and Development
Venue: Gordon Spratt Park, Pāpāmoa
Baywide Club Sevens - Previous Winners
Gordon Tietjens Trophy - Men's Open Grade
2017: Tauranga Sports
2016: Rangataua Sports & Cultural Club
2015: Mount Maunganui Sports Club
2014: Mount Maunganui Sports Club
2013: Te Puna Rugby Club
2012: Te Puna Rugby Club
Exia Edwards Trophy - Women's Grade
2017: Rangiuru Sports Club
2016: Rangiuru Sports Club
2015: Waikite Rugby Sports Club
2014: Arataki Sports Club
2013: Mount Maunganui Sports Club
2012: Opotiki Sports
Men's Plate Winners
2016: Tauranga Sports
2015: Waimana
Te Manawa Whenua
2017: Rangiuru Sports Club
2016: Waikite Sports Club
Tight 5
2017: Te Puke Sports and Recreation Club
2016: Mount Maunganui Sports Club
2015: Arataki Sports Club
Colts
2016: Te Puna
2015: Whakarewarewa